Tigers simply too good for tired Crocs

NIGHTCLIFF maintained its dominance over Southern Districts when it beat the Crocodiles by 57 points in their Premier League clash at TIO Stadium.

Districts threw everything at the Tigers in the early exchanges in their annual ‘T for Thomas’ match before Nightcliff’s airtight defence and better use of the football produced their 14th win of the season.

Utility Shaun Wilson said the special occasion and importance of the match meant Districts were ready to go from the first bounce.

“But when we were able to get the game on our terms we were able to get away and grind things out,” he said.

Districts took advantage of an inaccurate Nightcliff when they led by eight points at the first change.

Goals by third gamer Jaeden Watts from a free and Jeff Garlett in a low-scoring term gave the Crocodiles the early points, much of it gained by Nightcliff’s inability to kick a goal.

The normally fluent Tigers missed several gilt-edged chances, with Trent Melville and Matt Bricknell among the guilty parties.

But the second term changed all that. The Tigers began to hunt in numbers and share the football to their advantage, resulting in a flood of goals.

Blake Grewar kicked their first goal after five minutes of the second term and 15 minutes later they had seven on the board without a miss.

Bendigo recruit Lachlan Sharp booted three goals in the term on his way to five for the match.

Districts twice climbed to within range of their opponents in the all-important third quarter, but crucial misses from the Farrer brothers, Will and Josiah, prevented them doing any further damage.

A late solo effort by Ryan Mu lifted the Tigers to a 23point lead at three quartertime and that was the end of Districts’ resistance.

Every Nightcliff player got involved in the last quarter when they kicked five goals to nothing.